What is the curse of Béla Guttmann? The bad luck that haunts Benfica in Europe

The manner in which Benfica avoided elimination from the 2025-26 Champions League suggested Lady Luck was smiling on them in their final game of the league phase against Real Madrid. In one of the final plays of the game, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s header secured a 4-2 win for the Portuguese side, ensuring they sneaked into the knockout phase playoffs on goal difference. In the process, they denied Madrid direct qualification to the round of 16.

As fate would have it, the two teams have been drawn to face one another again in the playoffs. Given how their last trip to Lisbon ended, the Spaniards would be forgiven for fearing the worst. However, they may take some comfort from the fact that it is actually their playoff opponents who, legend has it, have a curse to overcome.

Portugal’s most decorated club with unfinished European business

Benfica are the most decorated club in Portugal, with 31 domestic titles. Porto and Sporting are next with 30 and 21, respectively.

They were the first Portuguese club to win the European Cup, now the Champions League, lifting the trophy in 1961 and defending it in 1962. Those back-to-back triumphs cemented their place among Europe’s elite.

However, they have not enjoyed continental glory since. Instead, they have watched rivals celebrate European success. Porto have won the European Cup/Champions League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League twice since 1987, while even Sporting lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

What is the curse of Béla Guttmann?

Hungarian coach Béla Guttmann was appointed Benfica boss in 1959 and made an immediate impact. He promoted Portuguese legend Eusébio to the first-team squad and quickly transformed the club into a European powerhouse.

With Guttmann in the dugout, Benfica defeated FC Barcelona 3-2 to win the European Cup in 1961. The following year, in 1962, they faced Real Madrid in the final and triumphed again, winning 5-3 to claim consecutive European titles.

After delivering back-to-back European Cups, Guttmann requested a pay raise. The club refused. According to club folklore, he responded by placing a curse on Benfica.

“Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion,” he said.

Guttmann left later in 1962 to join Uruguayan giants Peñarol.

Eight finals, eight defeats

Since that remark, Benfica have lost eight consecutive European finals. Their most recent came in 2014, when they were beaten on penalties by Sevilla FC in the Europa League.

Those defeats have come against AC Milan twice, Inter Milan, Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven in the European Cup, and RSC Anderlecht, Chelsea FC and, as mentioned, Sevilla in the Europa League.

Superstitious supporters continue to blame Guttmann’s curse for their heartbreak on the biggest stage.

Now, with 15-time European champions Real Madrid awaiting in the Champions League playoffs, few are predicting a deep run. Still, Trubin’s improbable header in the dying moments of the league phase showed that anything can happen in the Champions League.

Could the goalkeeper’s dramatic goal have lifted the long-standing curse?

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